The internationally-renowned Vancouver Fringe returns to stages with more than 85 brilliant new acts pushing the limits of performing arts as part of the 2023 Festival running September 7 – 17.
From emerging local artists to trailblazing talent from all across the Canadian Fringe circuit, this year sees more theatre, comedy, dance, drag, spoken word and music than ever before as Vancouver’s perennial performing arts fest works toward next year’s 40th Anniversary festival.
Familiar to the most avid Fringe fans, 2023 is again based within the creative hub of Granville Island, returning venues include Arts Umbrella, Carousel Theatre, The NEST, Performance Works, Revue Stage and Waterfront Theatre. Added this year is a foray into Ballet BC’s new studio – making Vancouver Fringe being among the first to present work in the state-of-the-art spaces.
Vancouver Fringe’s super-sized program bursts out into neighbouring venues; Pacific Theatre, Leap Creative Studios and Studio 16. Not to be left out the Festival offers a robust online selection for audiences to watch anywhere, anytime from their own personal device.
Returning for 2023, Fringe Bar continues to provide a meeting ground for artists and audiences alike. Nightly entertainment; team trivia, drag performers and live music from the likes of Balkan Shmalkan, DJ O Show and The Wavebirds will be taking over the space, with food trucks galore from some of Vancouver’s hottest vendors.
The Festival kicks off with the inaugural Fringe4All – YOUR chance to catch the Festival’s many artists in action – with further special events including Cameryn Moore’s infamous Smut Slam (not for the faint of heart), a screening of Cory Thibert & Nancy Kenny’s award-winning documentary On The Fringe and the Festival’s unabashedly bonkers closing party, the Cabaret of Bulls#!t.
Some of the brilliant international productions coming to 2023 Vancouver Fringe include:
Anne Geddes: The Unauthorized, Untrue Biography
Cake Walk presents the unauthorized, un-fact-checked life story of famed baby photographer.
AtCarousel Theatre for Young People, 1411 Cartwright Street
MONSTER: an original musical
Direct Theatre Collective brings a brand new musical based on the somewhat unknown, often forgotten, story of Medusa – the Gorgon girl turned hideous beast.
At Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston Street
Emilio’s A Million Chameleons
The Pucking Fuppets Co, and internationally-celebrated puppeteer Adam Francis Proulx presents the only Kids Fringe Show in this family-friendly musical.
At Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
Generic Male: Just What We Need, Another Show About Men (trailer, above)
Push Physical Theatre brings its award winning off-Broadway satire to the stage
At Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street
Puffy Hair
Existential stand-up meets raw feminist rant in Zoë Geltman’s one-woman show
At Ballet BC, 1286 Cartwright Street
Grease…Too!
Eleven-year old Megz is having a Grease viewing party… and when people show up, the fun begins in Megan Phillips’ one-woman world of whimsy.
At Studio 16, 1545 West 7th Avenue
The Holy O
Lauren Hance’s solo comedy brings an honest, vulnerable look at women, sex, and spirituality to the stage
At Leap Creative Studio, 1675 West 2nd Avenue
Lia & Dor
K.I.A. Productions presents Romanian performer and playwright Cristina Tudor work interweaving a Romanian fairy tale with a surprising and salacious family history
At Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
How To Be Japanese: Your Normal Is Not My Normal
Be swept off your feet by the uproarious charm of Miyo Yamauchi in this sidesplitting solo spectacle, where the question isn’t just how to be Japanese, but how to truly be yourself.
At Carousel Theatre for Young People, 1411 Cartwright St.
Vancouver Fringe runs September 7-17, 2023 at various venues, centered on Granville Island, Vancouver. Find detailed descriptions, showtimes and tickets, starting from just $15, for the above shows and many more at vancouverfringe.com